Meath East poll set for March 27th

The Meath East byelection to fill the seat of the former minister of state Shane McEntee is to be held on Wednesday March 27th, it is understood.

Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Workers' Party have announced candidates to contest the byelection for the three seat constituency.

Fianna Fáil has chosen former TD, Senator Thomas Byrne to be its candidate. Mr Byrne lost his seat in the 2011 General Election.

Sinn Féin has chosen Darren O’Rourke who works for party health spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin at the Oireachtas.

The Worker's Party has chosen Seamus McDonagh, chairman of the North Meath Campaign Against Household Water and Septic Tank Charges, to contest the byelection.

McEntee (56), a Fine Gael TD and minister of state for agriculture who was first elected in the 2005 byelection, died shortly before Christmas.

Fine Gael does not have any confirmation on its candidate, a spokeswoman said today. Fine Gael is understood to be hoping the nomination will be accepted by Mr McEntee’s daughter, Helen, who worked with him in Leinster House and the Department of Agriculture for a number of years.

The Labour Party has not announced its candidate, a spokeswoman said today. The Party has several councillors in Meath and the party had a major breakthrough in this constituency two years ago when Dominic Hannigan took one of the three seats.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has yet to appoint a new minister of state for agriculture next week to succeed Mr McEntee.